ExamShortcut
medium importance~1-2 Q in Tier 18 formulasโšก 4 shortcuts4 subtopics

Two question families: (1) region arithmetic โ€” count union, intersection, only-regions, exactly-two, neither using inclusion-exclusion over labelled Venn regions; (2) relation selection โ€” decide whether categories nest (definitional necessity), stay apart (impossibility) or intersect (possible but not forced). The arithmetic family is pure formula discipline; the relation family is two quick tests per pair. Label every region before computing and both become near-90% accuracy topics.

Track record in the exam

avg 1.0 Q / shift2024: 1 Q2025: 1 Q

Questions per shift in recent SSC CGL papers.

Test difficulty mix (55 questions)

19 easy26 medium10 hard

Question patterns exams keep repeating

Taken from previous-year papers. If a pattern is marked "very common", expect to see it in your exam.

Two-set region count

very common
Spot it:

Two totals and the overlap; asks at least one, only one or neither.

How to solve: Union = A + B โˆ’ both; neither = total โˆ’ union; only A = A โˆ’ both.

Example: In a class of 60, 35 like tea, 30 like coffee and 10 like both. How many like neither?

35 + 30 โˆ’ 10 = 55; 60 โˆ’ 55 = 5.

Learn this in โ€œTwo-circle countingโ€ โ†’

Reverse two-set puzzle

common
Spot it:

Some regions are given; the overlap, a circle total or the group size is asked.

How to solve: Draw four boxes (only A, only B, both, neither), fill the known ones and solve for the gap.

Example: Everyone in a class of 80 plays chess or carrom; 50 play chess and 40 carrom. How many play both?

50 + 40 โˆ’ 80 = 10.

Learn this in โ€œTwo-circle countingโ€ โ†’

Percentage-based sets

common
Spot it:

Data in percent, answer in percent or in people.

How to solve: Solve in percent with total 100, convert to people at the end.

Example: 70% watch cricket, 60% football, 40% both. What percent watch neither?

Union 90% โ†’ neither 10%.

Learn this in โ€œTwo-circle countingโ€ โ†’

Maximum / minimum overlap

occasional
Spot it:

Overlap not given; asks its largest or smallest possible value.

How to solve: Max both = smaller set; min both = A + B โˆ’ N (not below 0); max neither = N โˆ’ larger set.

Example: 80 people; 50 like cricket, 40 hockey. Maximum who like neither?

Hockey inside cricket โ†’ neither = 80 โˆ’ 50 = 30.

Learn this in โ€œTwo-circle countingโ€ โ†’

Three-set union / none

very common
Spot it:

Three totals, three pairs, the triple and a group size.

How to solve: Union = ฮฃA โˆ’ ฮฃpairs + triple; none = total โˆ’ union.

Example: 200 people: coffee 90, tea 80, milk 70; pairs 40, 35, 30; all three 15. How many drink none?

Union 150 โ†’ none 50.

Learn this in โ€œThree-circle countingโ€ โ†’

Exactly two / exactly one

common
Spot it:

Asks for exactly one, exactly two or at least two sets.

How to solve: Exactly two = ฮฃpairs โˆ’ 3 ร— triple; at least two = ฮฃpairs โˆ’ 2 ร— triple; exactly one = union โˆ’ exactly two โˆ’ triple.

Example: Pairs 8, 7, 6 and all three 3. Exactly two?

21 โˆ’ 9 = 12.

Learn this in โ€œThree-circle countingโ€ โ†’

Reading a region diagram

common
Spot it:

Numbers are written in each region; the question describes a group in words.

How to solve: List the regions the phrase covers and add them once each; use total โˆ’ regions for 'not' phrases.

Example: Only N 20, only T 25, only R 5, N-T 15, T-R 6, N-R 4, all 10. How many use exactly one source?

20 + 25 + 5 = 50.

Learn this in โ€œWhat a Venn diagram encodesโ€ โ†’

Choose-the-diagram

very common
Spot it:

Three words; options describe circle pictures.

How to solve: For each pair decide inside / apart / cross by definition, then match all three marks to one picture.

Example: Even numbers, Odd numbers, Prime numbers.

Even and odd never meet; 2 and 3 are prime โ†’ two separate circles, with the third intersecting both.

Learn this in โ€œChoosing the correct diagramโ€ โ†’

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